Justice News

3 Indicted for North Myrtle Beach Bank Robbery

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Lance Hardiman, Justin Pressley, and Rodrick Berklery of Longs, South Carolina, were charged in a 8-count federal indictment arising from the armed takeover of the South State Bank in North Myrtle Beach on May 4, 2016, and the ensuing high speed chase and exchange of gun fire that followed.

Hardiman, Pressley, and Berklery were charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §1951; armed bank robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §2113; two counts of use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §924(c); obstruction of justice/witness tampering, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §1512; and, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §922(k). Hardiman and Pressley were also charged with felon in possession of a firearms counts, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §922(g). The maximum penalty the defendants could receive is a sentence of life and if convicted of the two counts of using and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the defendants face a mandatory 35 years, consecutive to all other sentences.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI , North Myrtle Beach Police Department, SLED, and Horry County Police Department. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and JD Rowell of the Columbia office, as well as Special Assistant United States Attorney Scott Hixson from the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.